Potsdam Conference

• When did the Potsdam conference take place?

  July 1945
• What had happened to the Big 3 Leaders by the time of the conference?


  Roosevelt had died and Churchill had been replaced. Making Stalin the only original member.
• Who replaced Churchill?


  Clement Attlee
• Who replaced Roosevelt?


  Harry Truman
• Why did the Grand Alliance dissolve?


  The unity between the East and West had began to fall apart. As Stalin the only communist had to build a new relationship with Truman and Attlee 2 capitalist who did not trust him.
• What desire did Stalin have that Truman and Attlee oppose of?


  To make Germany repay the damage cost.
• What did Stalin want for the Eastern European countries?


  To remain under Soviet influence
• What did Truman and Attlee want for the Eastern European countries?


  Independence and Self-Determination
• What does self determination mean?


  For a country to form their own government
• What was Attlees aim?


  • focused on domestic plans
  • worried about Soviet Expansion
  • wanted a secure Germany
• What were Trumans Aims?


  • didn’t trust Stalin at all and his plans
  • wanted European countries to choose their own government
• What were Stalins Aims?


  • viewed America as a rival
  • wanted the USSR to have security
  • believed he had a strong position as the red army was all across Eastern Europe
• What were 3 major agreements made in the Potsdam Conference?

  • Division of Germany was confirmed
  • Poland had to give some of their land to the USSR
• What added to the tension and distrust between Stalin and Truman related to the atomic bomb?


  Stalin only knew the existence of the bomb through his spies, Truman had not officially informed him
• What did it mean for the Soviet troops when Japan surrendered?

  Removed the need for the Soviet Troops in the Pacific and meant for the Grand Alliance to continue